MINT HILL, NC – The cadets at Independence High School started a collaborative study project from a book study competition. The AFJROTC cadets are committed to providing community service. Therefore, the cadets thought during the pandemic it would be great to reach out to fellow students and the community to make a difference in a safe and impactful way.

“I know the cadets have made a huge difference in their fellow students’ lives in the school’s Exceptional Children’s program during the pandemic,” said Senior Aerospace Instructor Lt. Colonel, Jeffrey Jenkins.

The cadets used Zoom call meetings throughout the school year to help students improve their reading skills and other academic skills and to enhance their learning environment during a very difficult and challenging school year.

Ms. Ann Lake, an Exceptional Children’s teacher, at Independence High School really appreciated the effort put forth by the AFJROTC cadets involved. “Since the end of October, 2020, a team of AFJROTC cadets led by the unit’s Cadet Group Commander Cadet Julie Tran has been coming into the virtual Extensions Transition class to assist the students one-on-one, and in small groups,” said Lake. “We have done a variety of activities including academic skills, social skills, interview, and technology skills, as well as some fun activities.”

The cadets involved are Cadet/Lt. Colonel Julie Tran, Cadet/Captain David Yagodzinkiy, Cadet/Captain Taylor Bell, Cadet Captain Taylor Bell, Cadet/Captain Hector Benavides, Cadet 1st Lieutenant Van Sui Par, and Cadet SSgt. Kenia Medina.

The partnership began with the book study. The cadets are continuing the project and hope to expand it into the next school year and beyond. All the cadets became very passionate to accomplish this mission. The AFJROTC program at Independence is very grateful for the opportunity to collaborate and can’t wait to see how it grows going forward.